Scientists in Costa Rica have documented the primary identified file of a bare-throated tiger heron killing and consuming one other hen.
This stocky neotropical heron is understood for its finely barred plumage and enigmatic behaviour, typically remaining utterly nonetheless for lengthy intervals alongside water edges, ready for unsuspecting prey to move by, earlier than hanging.
It has a broad weight loss program, consisting largely of fish and enormous invertebrates. There have additionally been studies of the hen consuming amphibians, small rodents, lizards, crocodiles and snakes, together with the predation of a yellow-bellied sea snake, in addition to a inexperienced ratsnake.
Now, in a brand new examine printed within the journal Wetlands, researchers element a predation occasion at an synthetic water reservoir within the Costa Rican metropolis of Liberia involving a bare-throated tiger heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) repeatedly immersing an awesome kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) – a sort of flycatcher – earlier than consuming it.
The analysis workforce, led by José Manuel Mora, says that “on at the very least three events the heron dunked the prey within the water previous to ingestion, one for roughly 16 seconds, then retrieved it and held it in its invoice, after which it once more shook the flycatcher a number of occasions. Following these repeated dealing with behaviours, the prey had misplaced a number of feathers, primarily from the neck and chest.”
The statement means that, if situations enable, bare-throated tiger-herons might opportunistically exploit semi-terrestrial and even terrestrial prey, corresponding to birds.
“This file expands the identified dietary breadth and behavioural repertoire of T. mexicanum and underscores the significance of detailed pure historical past observations for documenting uncommon or missed ecological interactions,” say the researchers.
Discover out extra in regards to the study.
High picture: Naked-throated tiger-heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) holding an awesome kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) at Campus Liberia, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Credit score: José Manuel Mora et al. Waterbirds 2026
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